When one door closes, another window often opens. Life is a rollercoaster full of ups and downs, but perseverance and hard work always pays off. In little and big ways, I felt as though the opportunity to attend the 30th Central Valley Honor Flight was my window. In my personal life at the time, I had just gone through an emotionally difficult situation. The chance to go on this trip opened my eyes that there are bigger callings in life than staying in a comfortable spot that, in reality, holds you back.
This journey began when I wrote an article about the 29th CVHF for Fresno Christian Schools’ 39th Annual Homecoming. This article was very meaningful to me as I poured my heart, tears, time and energy into it. Words cannot describe the humility I gained from interviewing veterans, guardians, doctors, nurses and photographers. Their generous and selfless hearts touched mine.
After publishing the article, I was riding a high. I expected the high to die down after a couple of days, but it did not. On Sept. 30, 2024, my advisor Kori James, who is a photographer for the Honor Flight, called me into her classroom to talk about the article. To be honest, I thought I did something wrong. Instead, she invited me to board the plane with her for the next Central Valley Honor Flight to be a part of the media team. I instantly broke down crying with tears of joy.
My dad has always taught me the idea of “don’t ask, don’t get.” I had no idea that going on the Honor Flight was even an option when I offered to write the article. Since I took the initiative to write the article before anyone else, I got to reap the reward. Hearing that Mrs. James and the team at CV Honor Flight wanted me, of all people, to come along on this trip was an honor.
Knowing that I had the support of my editors in the decision to take this opportunity left me feeling grateful.
Before this trip, I had never visited Washington D.C. so I knew this trip would be particularly special to me. In the last few years, I have found myself taking every travel possibility that is offered to me. Travel is something I value as a young person. I am able to gain so much knowledge and new perspective from seeing different places. I believe I was able to see D.C. in the best context – with the servicemen and women who gave everything for our country.
Usually, in the United States, when students are in eighth grade, they have the chance to go on a trip to Washington D.C. I saw a lot of eighth graders on their D.C. trip simply walking by the memorials disconnected to their significance. My experience was quite the opposite. The memorials pay tribute to all the men and women who served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. There I was, right alongside them, witnessing the grief, gratitude and healing process the veterans went through seeing their memorials.
Honor Flight itinerary is packed with visits to memorials and museums including:
- WWII Memorial
- Air Force Memorial
- United States Capitol
- Marine Memorial
- Navy Memorial
- National Museum of the US Army
- Korean War Memorial
- Vietnam War Memorial
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Fort McHenry
Experiencing how the CV Honor Flight volunteers gently honored and cared for each veteran changed my outlook on compassion. I always thought compassion was simply being nice. The dictionary definition of compassion is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
When visiting the National Museum of the United States Army, I learned the seven core Army values, one of them being “selfless service.” Seeing that phrase, in regards to the veterans I was getting to know, changed my perspective, changed me. It stirred a deep reflection within myself on the sacrifice and dedication of our service men and woman. It made me consider how much they put others before themselves, and how sometimes I do not do the same. This inspired me to think about how I embody compassion and selflessness in my own life.
Each flight is full of incredible stories of combat, missions and awards for service. The military is built on hierarchy and rank, yet the veterans focus was not on personal recognition or achievement, but on the honor and valor of every contribution. Many of the veterans verbalized their struggle to feel deserving of the trip, which broke my heart. Selfless service means being able to put the needs and dignity of others before my own, whether it was offering a listening ear or a helping hand. This was immensely humbling.
Walking to the Vietnam Wall after seeing the Korean War Memorial felt weighty. I knew that 68 out of 70 veterans on the Honor Flight served in Vietnam. This meant that many veterans would be confronting past memories. Each name etched on the wall represents a fallen brother or sister. I did not realize the sheer size of it until standing in front of the ten-foot-high panels. Two veterans were sobbing, seeing their lost comrades’ names on the wall. Witnessing the gravity of the moment, I too started to cry. That moment will be engraved in my heart forever.
Before going on the Central Valley Honor Flight, I had never picked up a professional camera before. I had a quick camera lesson the first night of the trip and off I went for the next couple of days. I loved being able to capture the journey through a camera lens including all the smiles and tears of veterans on the trip. I thought I was simply just doing a job. I did not think I impacted any of the veterans personally until I got back home in Fresno.
One moment out of numerous that I will cherish forever was when I was waiting for my suitcase at the baggage claim and saying my goodbyes to everyone on the flight while one veteran, who I had talked to multiple times on the trip, came up to me and said,
“You give me hope for the next generation. Keep up this work and you will go far.”
Hearing those words from a man that has seen and experienced so much, empowered me.
Volunteerism is a beautiful thing, and I was able to gain a deeper understanding of why people dedicate so much of their time to serving with Central Valley Honor Flight. From the moment I walked into the Fresno Yosemite International Airport before boarding the plane, I was instantly met with smiles from the dedicated volunteers. The sense of family and community from Honor Flight throughout the trip was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
With the exception of experiencing motion sickness on the bus, my smile beamed from ear to ear the entire trip. I found myself loving the quick pace of the trip as we started early in the morning and went until late in the evening.
Another fond memory was renting Lime scooters with my adviser Kori James and photographing the National Mall at night. With the cold wind in our hair, zooming from one monument to another, we finished at the steps of the capitol with no one insight. It felt like we were doing something wrong being that close to such an important building, so we asked permission from the guards. That experience felt as though I was living one of those aesthetic Instagram travel reels.
Seeing the friendships that some veterans made on the Central Valley Honor Flight warmed my heart. Two men, who had never met before prior to orientation day, could have been mistaken for brothers. They both had so much energy and were always with each other practically running circles around everyone else. I even overheard them setting up a time to get together after the trip. The CVHF organization allows fellow servicemen and women to connect and bond with one another which is one of many important things I witnessed on this trip.
Central Valley Honor Flight provides the veterans, who may have never had the chance otherwise, to see their memorials in person. I spoke with one veteran on the first day and he told me that his family had forced him to attend the Honor Flight and that he did not want to be there. On the flight home, three days later, I spoke with the same man again and I asked him how the trip was for him. He told me that he had such a great time and that he was happy his family made him go.
I could go on and on about how much this trip changed me and it still would not account for all of my feelings. All I can say is that Central Valley Honor Flight has changed my life for the better.
This organization is all made possible by generous donations. Central Valley Honor Flight is aiming to take three flights to Washington D.C. in 2025. They currently have 4oo Valley veterans on the waitlist. Without continuous donations, veterans will not be able to go on their trip-of-a-lifetime. Thank you to the FCS community for helping to raise $3500 during Homecoming, which will send two more veterans.
To read another column from The Feather, visit Column: Ulysses S. Grant.
To read more from The Feather Honor Flight series, visit the Features page or HONOR FLIGHT: Veteran Arthur Dandridge.
Lala • Nov 5, 2024 at 10:47 am
This is so good Tabitha I love all the description you used!